Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-02-11
rHElsrER-srATR COMMERCE BILL.

THElNTER-STATE COMMERCE BILL.
We have looked over all our ex-
changes for lucid explanation Of the
provisions of the Inter State bill and
its probable effect on commerce, but
in vain. The San Francisco papers
have had several columns Of inter
views with prominent merchants and
manufacturers on the subject; and so
have several OF the leading Eastern
papers. But no ono seems to know
or, if knowing, willing to say how it
will affect any particular branch or
branches Of business. That it will
make some change all agree; but no
one knows how radical or important
that chahgc will be. "a ,
The greatest change to be effected
by the bill will, to our notion, be the
prevention OF Determinations as be-
tween merchants in the same city,
town or county. Under this bill, it
will be impossible for the railways, for
instancs,sia case two Grms in the same
town are in the same line of business,
TO charge one firm one cent per
pound for its freight and the other
1t or 10 cents per pound for the
same class of freight. And so with
passenger rates. All passengers of
one class will have to pay alike. But
whether or no the bill will prevent
railways from granting commercial
rates, or teachers rates, or clergy.
mems rates, or, for that matter legis.
lators' rates, We cannot say.
We are equally in the dark in re-
gard to the long and short haul pro-
visions Of the bill. That document
says clearly, in the plalnest kind Of
"United States," that
1t shall be unlawful for any COM
mon carriers subject to the provisions
Of this act to charge or receive any
greater compensation in the aggregate
for the transportation of passengers
or Of like kind Of property, under
substantially similar circumstances and
conditions, for a shorter than for a
longer distance over the same line, in
the same direction, the shorter being
included within the longer distance ;
but this shall not be construed as au-
thorixing any common carrier to
charge and receive as great compen-
sation for shorter as for longer dis
lance.
But it provides that
Upon application to the commits
sion such common carrier may, in
special cases, be authorized to charge
lees for longer than for shorter dis.
tances for the transportation of pas.
'sengers or property; and the com
mission may from time to time pre-
scribe the extent to which such desig.
mated common carrier may be re-
lieved from the operation OF this sec
ton.
Now, will not that section allow al
railways to competitive points such
rs tho transeontinental roads, for IN.
stancs-to charge "less for longer
than for q shooter haui?" At Ia
coma, Portland, San Francisco, and
all Pacific ports, the Northern Pacific
Union Pacific, Central Pacific, South
cru Pacific, and all other coast roads
come into competition with cheap
sailing or steam vessels; and if com
PEELED to charge no less than short
haul rates for long halls, proportion
atcly, they will lose all through traffic
either way, and may speedily be
thrown into the hands OF receivers
1t is therefore evident that the com
mission will have to make an excep
ton here and grant relief to the rail
ways from the provisions Of this act
And If such exception be made, how
are merchants in the interior to be re
lieved from the necessity of paying
say, $500 on a carload of candle,
from Chicago to Elko for instance
while the San Francisco merchant car
geethe same carload of like candle.
hauled from the same place for only
$3oo?
The bill IS undoubtedly the expires
sion Of the feeling that the govern
,nent should have full control Of tn,
railways. It. is doubtless a step il
the right direction; and i. the com